William Gunn in Achanaichan / Achaneccan being the 2nd son of Donald 'the Scholar' Gunn
William in Achanaichan / Achaneccan line being the 2nd son of Donald the Scholar
Introduction
I believe Achanaichan and Acheneccan is one place as the same people are referred to below, but with slightly different place name spelling, in the original documents.
Worth noting Achaneccan sems to be only a farm. ‘After leaving the lake, the Amhuinn-bheag passes through the Places of Corrish and Bad-an-t 'sheobhaig (hawk's tuft), flows through the loch of Airidh-Chlinie, and issuing from thence, joins the other Amhuinn-bheag at the place of Claggan. The united streams pursue their course through a pretty rural strath, having the farms of Ellie on the west and Torghordstan and Achaneccan on the east, till they join the main river at Duallach.'
Sage http://www.electricscotland.com/history/parishlife/chapter6.htm
I believe Achanaichan and Acheneccan is one place as the same people are referred to below, but with slightly different place name spelling, in the original documents.
Worth noting Achaneccan sems to be only a farm. ‘After leaving the lake, the Amhuinn-bheag passes through the Places of Corrish and Bad-an-t 'sheobhaig (hawk's tuft), flows through the loch of Airidh-Chlinie, and issuing from thence, joins the other Amhuinn-bheag at the place of Claggan. The united streams pursue their course through a pretty rural strath, having the farms of Ellie on the west and Torghordstan and Achaneccan on the east, till they join the main river at Duallach.'
Sage http://www.electricscotland.com/history/parishlife/chapter6.htm
Being from the neat copy. The line starts just below the top left corner 'Donald Scholar'.
Rough copy, showing minor changes to point 7 below.
My trees say the following.
1. William settled in Achanaichan
2. He had a son Donald.
3. This Donald had a son William
4. This William had a son Robert.
5. This Robert had a son William.
6. This William had a son Robert the Senachie 1806 Married Twice
7. Robert had four sons (order not given)
a. Alexander merchant in Thurso who has son Robert in London 1869
b. David Catichist died at Olgrinbeg who had son John
c. John DWI (from ‘rough copy’)
d. William Gunn who had William Gunn Officer Durness who had William Factor at Castle Leod.
Sinclair
The Sinclair line reads ‘Little William’s second son William had sons John and Donald, from the former of whom William and Gunns of Osclay, with names unknown (see previous post!)...’ So, he certainly had not seen this material or he has just got confused with this line and the ‘Mulbuie’ line. It just doesn’t work which is strange as normally he is close to the chart. (I note Robert Gunn Achnakin reference page 169. And see page 149 where he is not confused as he is using the ‘Appendix’ which is the text to accompany this chart.)
*****
Mark Rugg Gunn chart
I note Mark Rugg Gunn page 186 has a ‘Donald Gunn of Achaneccan’ as a brother of William of Kinbrace a great grandson of William beag) His page 270 tree is very interesting; we just disagree on the detail of point 7. He has three sons (John, David and Alexander). John, no issue. David has Robert, David and William. Alexander has Robert (London) and Alexander.)
*****
Concerning Robert Gunn of Acheneccan 1 (point 7 above)
‘Robert Gunn of Achaneccan was another of the old men of my youthful remembrance. He was the acknowledged lineal descendant and representative of the Chiefs of the Clan Gunn in the Parish, although the landless and fallen honour was some years afterwards claimed by Hector Gunn of Thurso, whose only son became Factor to the Duke of Sutherland. Robert of Achaneccan was, however, unquestionably nearer of kin, His farm, on which he had a number of sub-tenants, was scarcely two miles distant from Kinbrace, the seat of his renowned ancestor. He was gentleman-like old man, who had been much in good society, and had received a somewhat liberal education. His descendants are still to be found here and there in the county of Caithness.
Parish life in the North of Scotland by Rev. Donald Sage (Chapter 10, Home and College Life 1804-1805)
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/parishlife/chapter10.htm
Robert Gunn of Acheneccan 2 (and family)
The Achreny Mission
3. After the Disruption - Part 1
Rev D W B Somerset
‘One Free Presbyterian from Westerdale was the notable Chirsty Gunn. Her grandfather Robert had lived at Achaneccan in Kildonan, and Donald Sage remembered him as "a gentleman-like old man who had been much in good society, and had received a somewhat liberal education". (14) He had the best claim to the disputed chieftainship of the clan Gunn but he had fallen on hard times. David, her father, was his eldest son and had married Catherine, daughter of John Ross (c1733-1775), the minister of Kildonan from 1761 to 1775. Catherine was a woman "as remarkable for her deep piety as for her prepossessing appearance", (15) and David too was an eminently humble and pious man. When Kildonan was cleared, he moved to Strath Beag above Westerdale and became the catechist for the district. John Munro, Halkirk, held him in high regard. On one occasion, shortly before the Communion, his only cow died. The subject at the Fellowship Meeting was the marks of love to the brethren, and Ensign Joseph Mackay gave the meeting a practical turn by declaring, "If we only had among us a little of the love of which we have been speaking and hearing today, David Gunn would not be long until he got a new cow". (16) David died in 1827, while his wife Catherine, who had been born on 12 June 1773, lived to be about 100.
Chirsty Gunn herself died aged 85 on 16 July 1900 and was buried near her parents in the Achreny burying-ground. (17) She in turn had outlived her husband James Bain by 39 years.’http://www.fpchurch.org.uk/magazines/fpm/2003/November/article3.php
Which means
1. Robert Gunn of Achanaichan
2. Had (at least three sons) one son David d. 1827 who married Catherine b. 12 June 1773 d. c 1873 daughter of John Ross (c1733-1775) who was the catechist for the district (see point 7b at the start)
3. They had Chirsty Gunn 1815-16 July 1900 who married James Bain d. c. 1860
And more from the Rev Sage ‘Memorabilia Domestica’
.http://www.electricscotland.com/history/northern/27TheScottishAntiquarySept1890.pdf
‘His successor at Kildonan was Mr John Ross, whose paternity is not stated. He was ordained missionary of Farr 26thSeptember 1759, and minister of Kildonan 18th November 1761. He died 28th March 1783 in his forty-second year, having married the widow of Gunn M’Sheumais, by whom he had
David ...
Katherine, married David Gunn who died -1827’
So, and I’m not sure this point has been made clear before, David, the ‘catechist’ Gunn (point 7b) married a child of the widow of one of the Chiefs....
Mark Rugg Gunn, page 235 Catherine Ross, the half sister of William and Morrison Gunn. She married David Gunn of the Achanakin family and was thus doubly connected with the Cland and had two sons. David Gunn, her husband, suffered from chronic ill health, and in spite of her kinship with the last two MacHamishes... she lived to a great age, and her latter years were spent in the company of her daughter, Mrs Bain (Kirsty Gunn) at Westerdale. Mrs Bain died about 1900’
****
Point 7D William Gunn Officer Durness
Based on rootschat...
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,170609.10.html
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=gt8k6huvgr0hne63loklnld9h7&topic=407696.0
· Sergeant William Gunn who was born Achanneccan Farm, Kildonan, Sutherland in 1778. He served for decades in the 94th Foot & Highlanders from 1809. In died in 1861 in Durness, Sutherland. In 1822 at Durness he married Isabella Syme. She is listed on certificates as being the daughter of Captain George Syme RN and Winifred St Leger. Isabella Syme is said to have been born in Liverpool.
· Isabella did have children that were living in Durness at the time she died and therefore I think a certain amount of the information could quite likely be true.
· Isabella's children were John Gunn bp Halkirk 1822, Helen Gunn bp Halkirk 1823, Margaret Gunn bp Halkirk 1825, Robert Gunn bp Halkirk 1828, Georgina Gunn bn Halkirk bp Durness 1830, bd Durness 1924, John Gunn bp Durness 1832 bd Durness 1845, Alexander Gunn bp Durness 1834 bd 1895 Australia, Daniel Gunn bp Durness 1836, bd Durness 1901 and William Gunn bp Durness 1840.
· looking for confirmation of sgt william gunns father. i have him as john gunn b30.8.1759.
· william is the father of alexander gunn b 6.10.1834, who immigrated to australia in 1853.
· Isabella Syme is my G.G.G Grandmother.
· Her husband William b1878,
· Her son Alexander b1834 Durness Sutherland married Ellen scanlan b abt 1834 County Clare Ireland. They lived in Rural Victoria farming mostly, some labouring and horse work. They had 9 children. My G.Grandfather Daniel is the 8 child.
· My GG Grandfather was Robert Gunn son of William Gunn and Isabella Syme. He had a brother Alexander and a lot of other siblings.
· Robert Gunn b abt 1730 m Isabella Elder b abt 1730
· issue-
Janet Gunn 1755
John 1757 did not survive
John b1759
Barbara 1761
David 1764
Elisabeth1764- twin
john Gunn1759 m Helen Gunn ( no relation? )
issue-
William abt 1778
Robert 1786
John 1792
Angus 1795
Barbara 1799
· william Gunn b1778 d 20.12.1861 m Isabella Syme b abt 1797 liverpool
issue-
John Gunn1822 did not survive
Helen 1823
Margaret 1825
Robert 1828
Georgina 1830
John 1832
Alexander 1834 my GG Grandfather
Daniel 1836
William1840
Alexander came to Australia in 1853
He married Ellen Scanlan in victoria 1854
issues were-
Robert Gunn1856
william patrick 1859
alexander 1861
ellen 1863
isabella 1865
georgina 1868
joseph 1870
daniel 1871 my Great grandfather.
mary ann 1878
and another;
William Gunn married an Isabella Syme...
Their son Robert Gunn married Wilhelmina Cunningham. He was born 1828. .... They had a son William Alexander Gunn whom married Octavia Vendy.
*****
And from
http://www.clangunn-ns.com/wp-content/uploads/Gunnsmoke_Feb_29_2008.pdf being the Clan Gunn society Nova Scotia magazine, No 46 February 29, 2008
William Gunn, one of several tenants of Corrish, married Catherine Sinclair, Shurrery, Reay 29 December 1799. They had five children ... Mary b.1803... Mary married Angus Gunn fourth son of John Gun in Strathbeg, one of the Achanaichan branch of the Clan descended from William beag Gun. The couple lived for a while at Dalnawillan...here their two daughters Janet and Mary were born....
On 6 July 1831 the family including Angus, Mary, three small children (a William) and other relatives, joined an emigrant ship at Cromarty bound for Canada...
Sources given ... the Family Bible of Angus and Mary Gunn. ‘The Bible’ is now a treasured possession of Ruth (Gunn) Cameron, a great granddaughter of Angus and Mary. It’s followed by her 2008 obituary from February 2008. Key facts
· Ruth Lilian (Gunn) Cameron died February 26, 2008
· Lots of children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces...
· Major member of the Clan Gunn Society-Nova Scotia.
as well -
1) Note Mark Rugg Gunn page 270 where our final details differ.
2) Check against;
Thomas Sinclair, Gunn Supplement five; 30.12.1902. Concerning Gunn Chief claims, especially Corrish
Thomas Sinclair ‘History of the Clan Gunn’ Supplement, Sixth Instalment (more on Clan Gunn Chief Claims)
both of which are on this site as well.
My trees say the following.
1. William settled in Achanaichan
2. He had a son Donald.
3. This Donald had a son William
4. This William had a son Robert.
5. This Robert had a son William.
6. This William had a son Robert the Senachie 1806 Married Twice
7. Robert had four sons (order not given)
a. Alexander merchant in Thurso who has son Robert in London 1869
b. David Catichist died at Olgrinbeg who had son John
c. John DWI (from ‘rough copy’)
d. William Gunn who had William Gunn Officer Durness who had William Factor at Castle Leod.
Sinclair
The Sinclair line reads ‘Little William’s second son William had sons John and Donald, from the former of whom William and Gunns of Osclay, with names unknown (see previous post!)...’ So, he certainly had not seen this material or he has just got confused with this line and the ‘Mulbuie’ line. It just doesn’t work which is strange as normally he is close to the chart. (I note Robert Gunn Achnakin reference page 169. And see page 149 where he is not confused as he is using the ‘Appendix’ which is the text to accompany this chart.)
*****
Mark Rugg Gunn chart
I note Mark Rugg Gunn page 186 has a ‘Donald Gunn of Achaneccan’ as a brother of William of Kinbrace a great grandson of William beag) His page 270 tree is very interesting; we just disagree on the detail of point 7. He has three sons (John, David and Alexander). John, no issue. David has Robert, David and William. Alexander has Robert (London) and Alexander.)
*****
Concerning Robert Gunn of Acheneccan 1 (point 7 above)
‘Robert Gunn of Achaneccan was another of the old men of my youthful remembrance. He was the acknowledged lineal descendant and representative of the Chiefs of the Clan Gunn in the Parish, although the landless and fallen honour was some years afterwards claimed by Hector Gunn of Thurso, whose only son became Factor to the Duke of Sutherland. Robert of Achaneccan was, however, unquestionably nearer of kin, His farm, on which he had a number of sub-tenants, was scarcely two miles distant from Kinbrace, the seat of his renowned ancestor. He was gentleman-like old man, who had been much in good society, and had received a somewhat liberal education. His descendants are still to be found here and there in the county of Caithness.
Parish life in the North of Scotland by Rev. Donald Sage (Chapter 10, Home and College Life 1804-1805)
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/parishlife/chapter10.htm
Robert Gunn of Acheneccan 2 (and family)
The Achreny Mission
3. After the Disruption - Part 1
Rev D W B Somerset
‘One Free Presbyterian from Westerdale was the notable Chirsty Gunn. Her grandfather Robert had lived at Achaneccan in Kildonan, and Donald Sage remembered him as "a gentleman-like old man who had been much in good society, and had received a somewhat liberal education". (14) He had the best claim to the disputed chieftainship of the clan Gunn but he had fallen on hard times. David, her father, was his eldest son and had married Catherine, daughter of John Ross (c1733-1775), the minister of Kildonan from 1761 to 1775. Catherine was a woman "as remarkable for her deep piety as for her prepossessing appearance", (15) and David too was an eminently humble and pious man. When Kildonan was cleared, he moved to Strath Beag above Westerdale and became the catechist for the district. John Munro, Halkirk, held him in high regard. On one occasion, shortly before the Communion, his only cow died. The subject at the Fellowship Meeting was the marks of love to the brethren, and Ensign Joseph Mackay gave the meeting a practical turn by declaring, "If we only had among us a little of the love of which we have been speaking and hearing today, David Gunn would not be long until he got a new cow". (16) David died in 1827, while his wife Catherine, who had been born on 12 June 1773, lived to be about 100.
Chirsty Gunn herself died aged 85 on 16 July 1900 and was buried near her parents in the Achreny burying-ground. (17) She in turn had outlived her husband James Bain by 39 years.’http://www.fpchurch.org.uk/magazines/fpm/2003/November/article3.php
Which means
1. Robert Gunn of Achanaichan
2. Had (at least three sons) one son David d. 1827 who married Catherine b. 12 June 1773 d. c 1873 daughter of John Ross (c1733-1775) who was the catechist for the district (see point 7b at the start)
3. They had Chirsty Gunn 1815-16 July 1900 who married James Bain d. c. 1860
And more from the Rev Sage ‘Memorabilia Domestica’
.http://www.electricscotland.com/history/northern/27TheScottishAntiquarySept1890.pdf
‘His successor at Kildonan was Mr John Ross, whose paternity is not stated. He was ordained missionary of Farr 26thSeptember 1759, and minister of Kildonan 18th November 1761. He died 28th March 1783 in his forty-second year, having married the widow of Gunn M’Sheumais, by whom he had
David ...
Katherine, married David Gunn who died -1827’
So, and I’m not sure this point has been made clear before, David, the ‘catechist’ Gunn (point 7b) married a child of the widow of one of the Chiefs....
Mark Rugg Gunn, page 235 Catherine Ross, the half sister of William and Morrison Gunn. She married David Gunn of the Achanakin family and was thus doubly connected with the Cland and had two sons. David Gunn, her husband, suffered from chronic ill health, and in spite of her kinship with the last two MacHamishes... she lived to a great age, and her latter years were spent in the company of her daughter, Mrs Bain (Kirsty Gunn) at Westerdale. Mrs Bain died about 1900’
****
Point 7D William Gunn Officer Durness
Based on rootschat...
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,170609.10.html
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=gt8k6huvgr0hne63loklnld9h7&topic=407696.0
· Sergeant William Gunn who was born Achanneccan Farm, Kildonan, Sutherland in 1778. He served for decades in the 94th Foot & Highlanders from 1809. In died in 1861 in Durness, Sutherland. In 1822 at Durness he married Isabella Syme. She is listed on certificates as being the daughter of Captain George Syme RN and Winifred St Leger. Isabella Syme is said to have been born in Liverpool.
· Isabella did have children that were living in Durness at the time she died and therefore I think a certain amount of the information could quite likely be true.
· Isabella's children were John Gunn bp Halkirk 1822, Helen Gunn bp Halkirk 1823, Margaret Gunn bp Halkirk 1825, Robert Gunn bp Halkirk 1828, Georgina Gunn bn Halkirk bp Durness 1830, bd Durness 1924, John Gunn bp Durness 1832 bd Durness 1845, Alexander Gunn bp Durness 1834 bd 1895 Australia, Daniel Gunn bp Durness 1836, bd Durness 1901 and William Gunn bp Durness 1840.
· looking for confirmation of sgt william gunns father. i have him as john gunn b30.8.1759.
· william is the father of alexander gunn b 6.10.1834, who immigrated to australia in 1853.
· Isabella Syme is my G.G.G Grandmother.
· Her husband William b1878,
· Her son Alexander b1834 Durness Sutherland married Ellen scanlan b abt 1834 County Clare Ireland. They lived in Rural Victoria farming mostly, some labouring and horse work. They had 9 children. My G.Grandfather Daniel is the 8 child.
· My GG Grandfather was Robert Gunn son of William Gunn and Isabella Syme. He had a brother Alexander and a lot of other siblings.
· Robert Gunn b abt 1730 m Isabella Elder b abt 1730
· issue-
Janet Gunn 1755
John 1757 did not survive
John b1759
Barbara 1761
David 1764
Elisabeth1764- twin
john Gunn1759 m Helen Gunn ( no relation? )
issue-
William abt 1778
Robert 1786
John 1792
Angus 1795
Barbara 1799
· william Gunn b1778 d 20.12.1861 m Isabella Syme b abt 1797 liverpool
issue-
John Gunn1822 did not survive
Helen 1823
Margaret 1825
Robert 1828
Georgina 1830
John 1832
Alexander 1834 my GG Grandfather
Daniel 1836
William1840
Alexander came to Australia in 1853
He married Ellen Scanlan in victoria 1854
issues were-
Robert Gunn1856
william patrick 1859
alexander 1861
ellen 1863
isabella 1865
georgina 1868
joseph 1870
daniel 1871 my Great grandfather.
mary ann 1878
and another;
William Gunn married an Isabella Syme...
Their son Robert Gunn married Wilhelmina Cunningham. He was born 1828. .... They had a son William Alexander Gunn whom married Octavia Vendy.
*****
And from
http://www.clangunn-ns.com/wp-content/uploads/Gunnsmoke_Feb_29_2008.pdf being the Clan Gunn society Nova Scotia magazine, No 46 February 29, 2008
William Gunn, one of several tenants of Corrish, married Catherine Sinclair, Shurrery, Reay 29 December 1799. They had five children ... Mary b.1803... Mary married Angus Gunn fourth son of John Gun in Strathbeg, one of the Achanaichan branch of the Clan descended from William beag Gun. The couple lived for a while at Dalnawillan...here their two daughters Janet and Mary were born....
On 6 July 1831 the family including Angus, Mary, three small children (a William) and other relatives, joined an emigrant ship at Cromarty bound for Canada...
Sources given ... the Family Bible of Angus and Mary Gunn. ‘The Bible’ is now a treasured possession of Ruth (Gunn) Cameron, a great granddaughter of Angus and Mary. It’s followed by her 2008 obituary from February 2008. Key facts
· Ruth Lilian (Gunn) Cameron died February 26, 2008
· Lots of children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces...
· Major member of the Clan Gunn Society-Nova Scotia.
as well -
1) Note Mark Rugg Gunn page 270 where our final details differ.
2) Check against;
Thomas Sinclair, Gunn Supplement five; 30.12.1902. Concerning Gunn Chief claims, especially Corrish
Thomas Sinclair ‘History of the Clan Gunn’ Supplement, Sixth Instalment (more on Clan Gunn Chief Claims)
both of which are on this site as well.